Luteinizing hormone: the norm in women and the deviation

Representatives of the fair sex throughout the life period have to take various tests, which appoint a specialist to assess the work of the body. One of the most frequently recommended are hormonal studies. It is worth saying that it is recommended to take the analysis for this or that hormone only after the menstrual cycle is finally established.

Female sex hormones

Sex hormones are called because their production has a great influence on the entire reproductive function. Important substances in this case are estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone. The norm in women of these substances is strictly established and varies only depending on the day of the menstrual cycle. Very often such studies help to understand how well the reproductive system of the fair sex is working.

In this article we will talk about a substance called luteinizing hormone. The norm in women will be known to you in the future. Also you will learn what deviations can be.

Luteinizing hormone: the norm in women

This substance is produced exclusively by the pituitary gland, which is located in the brain. LH is responsible for the reproductive function of the female body. Without it, simply there would not be ovulation. Let's try to understand more.

Approximately in the middle of the menstrual cycle, when the dominant follicle has already been determined , there is a large release of luteinizing hormone into the woman's blood. Under its action, the follicular sac opens, and the egg enters the abdominal cavity . This substance is determined not only in the blood, but also in the urine of a woman. However, research in the laboratory is more accurate and informative. There are several normal values of luteinizing hormone. Its number can vary greatly depending on which phase of the cycle the woman is in.

The first phase

It is in this period that it is preferable to take the test and examine the luteinizing hormone. The norm in women on the 5th day of the cycle is in the range from 3.3 to 4.66 milliliters / ml. Too much deviation suggests that in the body of a woman, something goes wrong.

Ovulation period

Luteinizing hormone (the norm in women) at this time is at its maximum level. These days the level of substance varies from 18.2 to 52.9 milliliters / ml.

It is worth noting that at this time tests for ovulation are carried out, which also determine the level of luteinizing hormone. As already mentioned above, its amount in the urine will be somewhat lower than in the blood.

The second phase

Immediately after ovulation, luteinizing hormone can also be studied. The norm in women (med / ml) is in the range from 1.54 to 2.57.

However, it is worth noting that very rarely do such research at this stage. The exception is only those cases when a woman does not know on what day her menstrual cycle began.

Menopause

During this period, the study is conducted in order to determine the presence of certain diseases in the body of a fair sex. How does the luteinizing hormone behave at this stage? The norm in women (mIU / ml or MED / ml) is in the range from 29.7 to 43.9. It is worth noting that during the study in this period, a simultaneous analysis is carried out to determine the amount of estradiol.

Possible deviations

What does it mean if a greater or lesser value is obtained, which luteinizing hormone (norm) has? For women on the 2nd day of the cycle, the indices may be erroneous because the hormonal background has not yet changed . That is why it is recommended to take this test on the 4th-5th day of menstruation. What problems can a strong decrease or increase in the level of the test substance say?

Increase in the level of the test substance

Hormonal diseases

If luteinizing hormone is elevated, then this may be a sign of diseases such as endometriosis, polycystic or ovarian malnutrition. All these ailments have additional symptoms, the main one of which is infertility.

Treatment should be selected individually and only after additional studies.

Benign or malignant tumors

A high level of LH may indicate that a woman has health problems that are not related to the production of hormones. So, it can be a tumor of the adrenal glands or a pituitary gland disease. In this case, the nature of the neoplasms can be different.

External factors affecting the amount of LH

If the luteinizing hormone (norm) in women is heavily overestimated on the 4th day of the cycle and later, then it can be said that the representative of the weaker sex is not following the right way of life. Often, such indicators are with exhausting long-term training, malnutrition, starvation and stress.

Reduction in the level of luteinizing hormone

Pregnancy

The first thing that doctors think about when getting this result is pregnancy. During this period, the hormone can greatly decrease. It is worth noting that such a restructuring of the female body is normal and does not require any treatment.

Lack of menstruation

If the level of the test substance is much lower than normal, then this may be a consequence of amenorrhea. In this case, a woman has no menstrual bleeding within a few months, but there is no pregnancy.

In this case, individual hormonal treatment is selected.

External factors affecting the level of LH

Also, the level of luteinizing hormone can be influenced by external factors. It can decrease because of malnutrition, which leads to excess weight. Also, with bad habits (smoking, drug addiction or alcoholism), a low result figure can be obtained.

Surgical intervention (operation)

If there have been various operations in which part of the ovary is removed, the amount of LH may be below normal. In this case, no treatment will not bring success. However, for the onset of pregnancy, temporary correction with hormonal drugs can be carried out.

Most often, after such operations, the luteal phase is inadequate. At the same time, additional symptoms of such a disease may join.

Summing up and a brief conclusion

If you find a deviation from the norm, which indicates a high or low level of luteinizing hormone, then it is worth repeating the study. Most often, with this result, an analysis is made, which is performed after ovulation (in the second phase of the cycle).

The results obtained should be carefully studied before starting a particular treatment. In most cases, the analysis for the determination of the level of LH is carried out in conjunction with the study of follicle-stimulating hormone. At the same time, the ratio of the two results can clarify the situation and help the doctor put the correct diagnosis.

Take tests for female hormones and always monitor the work of the reproductive system. Only in this case you can always start treatment in the initial stages of the disease.